‘Irish troops accounted for and well,’ says Tánaiste amid reports of Israeli fire at three positions held by UN peacekeepers in Lebanon

Two peacekeepers with the Unifil peacekeeping force were injured, but not seriously, after the watchtower at the force’s main base in Naqoura was fired upon, the source said.

Tánaiste Micheál Martin has told the Dáil all Irish troops are accounted for and well.

It is understood there are Irish troops stationed at the UN’s main base, but none were injured in the incident.

“I’m in a position to report to the house that I understand a statement will issue shortly from our Defense Forces stating all Irish accounted for and well in Lebanon.

“Could I also pay tribute to our soldiers in the Lebanon and all of the peacekeepers in uniform from 50 contributing countries totalling about 10,000 in there at the moment, who are doing the most noble list, most noble activities of all,” the Tánaiste added.

It’s understood there were no casualties in the other two incidents – one on Wednesday and the other on Thursday. In both cases, UNIFIL positions came under Israeli small arms fire.There is understood to be 29 UN positions based near the Blue Line, the border between Israel and Lebanon.

A spokesperson for the Taoiseach said: “Taoiseach has been briefed. All Irish troops are safe and doing their duties.”

The Tánaiste said plans for the rotation of troops scheduled for next month continue but is under active review.

“The handover from the 124th to 125th battalion in UNIFIL was to occur in the 13th to 14th of November and the 24th and 25th of November.

“But in light of the recent changes to the security environment, UNIFIL Force Commander, he has made a decision to suspend rotations for October for safety reasons and will review the situation at the end of the month.

“Planning, however, remains for the November rotation. Obviously, it’s under active review, pending on a un direction in this regard,” the Tánaiste told the Dáil.

Earlier this week it was confirmed that Israeli troops would be departing a post near to Irish troops in southern Lebanon.

There was no official statement from Unifil or immediate comment from the Israeli military.

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Hezbollah said earlier it had targeted an Israeli tank with guided missiles while it was advancing to the border area of Ras al-Naqoura, before attacking an Israeli force with a missile salvo while the force was trying to pull injured soldiers out of the area.

UNIFIL had said on Sunday that it was “deeply concerned by recent activities” by the Israeli military near a peacekeeper position in southwestern Lebanon.

It did not provide details, but said the activities were dangerous and that it was “unacceptable to compromise the safety of U.N. peacekeepers carrying out their Security Council-mandated tasks”.

In a letter to Israel’s military dated Oct. 3 and seen by Reuters, Unifil had objected to Israeli military vehicles and troops positioning themselves “in immediate proximity” to U.N. positions, “thereby endangering the safety and security of Unifil personnel and premises”.

On Tuesday UN secretary-general Antonio Guterres said the Israeli army had left its position near UN Post 6-52, where Irish peacekeepers are stationed.

“Yesterday, I had a chance to speak with your prime minister,” Mr Guterres told RTÉ News.

“I can now tell you that those Israeli tanks and other armed elements that were around the 6-52 position have left.

“I strongly appeal to both parties to fully respect the safety and security of Unifil (UN Interim Force in Lebanon).”

A Unifil source confirmed that Israel Defence Forces (IDF) moved from around the Irish base on Tuesday morning.

“The IDF has withdrawn from the forward operation base they established around the Irish base (UNP 6-52),” said the source.

“As of noon today they (IDF) are not there anymore. They have left. We don’t know if they are coming back, but hopefully not.”

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